The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-11-09
ADVANTAGES OF CoNGREGATIONALIsM.
Dr. Safford's Sermon at the Opening Session
of the Central Congregational Association.

The opening session of the Central Congega
sional Association was held last night at May
flower Church. The attendance was not large,
only few of the delegates had arrived. The
opening services were conducted by Rev. G. FL.
Rogers, of Michigan City, and Rev. j. G.
Cromer, of Fit Wayne. Rev. George B. SAT-
ford. d. D., of Elkhart. then preached from the
text, "Who knoweth whether thou art come to
the kingdom for such q time as ths?"-Esther,
iv, Il. He spoke of the special advantages and
Rptitudes of the Congregational Church for
Christian work, and called attention to its
catholicity. The Congresatonalists not
sect They welcome all people who accept
Christ as Savior, and believe in the eternal di
vergence between good and bad in the
future world. It is Christianity. not sec
arianism, that must save the world.
After the world is brought to Christ
let the saints divide their country, like
the Israelites did the promised land
but not till then. Another adaptation of
the Con eregational system to the age is found
in its democracy. The home of the blessed is
not democracy. It is kingdom where the
Almighty rules through eternity by divine pre-
rogative. Before Him all men equal. If it
were possible that He should have continually
upon earth a pure, infalllble vice-regent, the
papaI system would be the best; but the records
of those who have assumed such positions show
that their lives have not justified their preten-
sions The undertone of Congregationaists
is that the air be cleared of all sectarian strife
that every man man may hear the divine call as
on the pentecostal day.
Another advantage is truthfuiness. cit is
sometimes urged in reproach against u.s." said
the speaker, that We have no creed. All creeds
are ours far they are profitable for instruc-
ton. The genius of orr system comedies to
everyone the right to express his faith in his
own words We do not believe in torturiug
man at his entrance into Christianity into utter
Ing his belief in doctrines that be neither be-
lIeves nor understands. Hence are left free
TO speak what we believe to be true, anu that is
what is needed IN this age. Truth in the alb
stract Is sacred, but trnthfulness in who
proclaims the word of God is infinitely
We have an advantage in our reliance
on spiritual sources of aid. l do not deny
this characteristic to other churches, but / say
that the power of a church depends its grasp
Df n spiritual truth. Vestments, forms, litur-
E1es and other surroundings but often
sause the substance beneath them to be over
looked and forgotten. We muss see more clear
" wherein our strength lies, and beware of
.ounsels that urge that strength is to be found
n more extended organizations in creeds. and
iturges. Our strength is in God l concede
10 every sect its field of work in the cause of
Christ, and believe that every organization has
ZONE features that enable II to accomplish ends
that no other organization could attain For
pur own / claim these advantages which pecu-
liarlv fit for the struggle against nfidelity in
this age of free speech and free thought
At tho close of the sermon Rev. Charles Ev-
ans of Brazil, was elected temporary scribe
and Rev. j. G. Cromer, w. A. Bell, and Rev.